Banyana’s small package of dynamite: look out, football, here comes Desiree Ellis — again

Coach Desiree Ellis came out firing about almost everything on the eve of Banyana Banyana’s defence of the women’s African Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title they won in 2022.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) was slammed for its failure to stage the tournament last year as planned — the branding this year says 2024 Wafcon. There were also swipes at the lack of seriousness and respect given to the women’s game — and to Banyana in particular.

No target emerged unscathed from Ellis’ press conference at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda — where Banyana will play Ghana in their Group C opener on Monday (9pm SA time).

“I think sometimes women’s football is not taken seriously,” Ellis said. “I think we could have found a way to hold the tournament in 2024, but I don't think we were brave enough or had the guts to do it. It’s easy just to shift a women’s tournament to somewhere else and we should be happy about it. But we’re not.”

No official reason was given for the postponement, which came less than a month before the first ball was to have been kicked in anger. But the prevailing theory was that the competition was put on hold because Nigeria and Zambia had to play in the Olympics. Even that didn’t add up: Wafcon and the Games would not have clashed.

“But it is what it is,” Ellis continued undaunted. “From almost being ready to play in the tournament to then having a year off, it puts you back. But it gives you more time. We had players recovering from long-term injuries, so in that way it really helped us to get those players back.”

Players such as midfielder and captain Refiloe Jane, who was out for 11 months after being stretchered off during South Africa’s 2023 World Cup match against Argentina.

“If this tournament was played in 2024 she might have missed it,” Ellis said. “So in that way it’s a blessing in disguise, but I think we must handle these situations better and respect the women’s game more.”

And with that she was back on her horse: “Banyana Banyana don’t get the credit they deserve. Through all the challenges, through all the issues, through everything, they consistently rise to the occasion. They show resilience. They show courage.”

Like they did in the 2022 Wafcon, also in Morocco, where star midfielder Thembi Kgatlana ruptured her Achilles in Banyana’s last group game against Botswana. But they fought back without her to beat Tunisia and Zambia in the quarter and semifinals before forward Hildah Magaia scored both of South Africa’s unanswered goals in the final against Morocco.

“When we lost Thembi the whole country went into mourning,” Ellis said. “They thought that was it. But we have a group of players who can rise to the occasion, who never know when to quit.

“Whatever the scoreline is, in the 90-plus minutes, we still create chances. That’s how resilient and how courageous this group is. It’s a group you can rely on.

“More credit needs to come from everyone because the players deserve that. There should be gratitude because no matter what, this team keeps rising.

“But there could come a point when, no matter what, the team won’t rise. We have to make sure we don’t get to that point. We have to consistently make sure we create opportunities for other players to come in, to understand the culture and how the team works.

“That’s what we’re trying to do because we don’t know what's going to happen in the future. We don’t know which other players are going to decide to step down. And we need to make sure that when the other players come in it’s not a struggle. We’ve seen teams where a big group of players decide to stop, and then you’re starting from scratch.

On the field, there’s nothing more we can do. We’ve done our job. When we came to Wafcon [in 2022] I don’t think anybody expected us to win it. We went to the [2023] World Cup and we were told we’re going there on a holiday. But, deep down, we knew what we were going to do

—  Desiree Ellis

“So credit needs to be given where it’s due. I don’t think we celebrate this team and their achievements enough. That needs to change because many of them are not full-time professionals and that’s the hardest part.

“So when the team does well, you need to stand up and applaud. Because when you look at [women’s] rugby and cricket, they have all the resources. We don’t have similar resources — 80% of the team are not professional. That tells you about the quality, courage and grit of this group. I can go on and on.”

And she did.

“On the field, there’s nothing more we can do. We’ve done our job. When we came to Wafcon [in 2022] I don’t think anybody expected us to win it. We went to the [2023] World Cup and we were told we’re going there on a holiday. But, deep down, we knew what we were going to do.

“We got to the last 16, the first time a senior [South African football] team have got out of the group stages. Our players have played in the best clubs in the world, yet the sponsors don't come on board.”

It’s a point as raw as it is sore. Sasol’s 16-year relationship with Banyana ended last week, ostensibly because the South African Football Association hasn't been able to agree terms with the company.

“So if there’s a sponsor here, tell me what else needs to be done,” Ellis railed. “Maybe it’s the marketing of the team that needs to be better. Sasol took a chance on us and look where this team is. What more could a sponsor ask for?”

Ellis and Jane had arrived for the press conference together. They sat down in front of the sponsors’ banner and behind the microphones, and smiled broadly at each other. And then came this. Who could have known?

Jane, too, had pertinent points to make to say: “It wasn’t this hot in 2022, but we’ve been able to adjust. We have to encourage one another, set our eyes on the goal and remember why we are here.

“There are so many things we are unhappy about, but the main objective is to stay mentally fit for what we want to achieve.”

What were the players unhappy about?

“The heat for one. But also the accommodation. We have to share small rooms. But these are things that we can bring up with the organising committee.”

She might have added yet another strike after Banyana's arrival in Morocco over unpaid bonuses by Safa from three friendly wins this year.

It wasn’t your average presser, even though it also featured the usual banal questions about what the team wanted to achieve and how they might do so. And, of course, the always useless enquiry about the “mood in the camp”.

Yet Ellis, especially, and Jane rose above the 'gumph' and gave more. Much more.